Properties of ABS/Organic-Attapulgite Nanocomposites Parts Fabricated by Fused Deposition Modeling

The paper discusses the mechanical and thermal performance manifested in natural nanorods attapulgite (ATP) reinforced Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) nanocomposites in the process of fused deposition modeling (FDM). Molten extrusion technique was taken to manufacture the filaments of ABS/ organic-attapulgite ( OAT) nanocomposites with different mass fraction and the printing operation was made by one commercial FDM three-dimensional (3D) printer. Results indicate that the mechanical performance of these FDM 3D printed specimens are improved obviously via the introduction of OAT, and tensile strength of the ABS/OAT nanocomposites parts with only 2 wt% OAT addition is enhanced by 48.1%. At the same time, the addition OAT can reduce the linear expansion coefficient and creep flexibility, and improve the thermal stability and dimensional accuracy of these FDM 3D printed parts.